Happy Thursday, TSO30! 🙌🏼

Does anyone have a work husband/wife? What have you learned from them?

I have a work husband “Paul”.

Paul (late 40s, married with kids) and I have a completely platonic and professional relationship. For the record, I am not attracted to him in that way at all.

After speaking to a friend about Paul, I realized that I’m learning so much about the qualities I want in a partner.

Paul has set the standards in terms of what great communication looks like. He checks-in with me regularly, remembers small details I’ve mentioned in passing, and actively engages and listens. We even discussed in length about last Sunday’s karaoke night lol.

Through Paul, I’m learning about poor communication behaviours with men I’ve dated—behaviours that I missed at the time, but recently realizing their red flags.

But more importantly, I’m becoming more aware of my own behaviours —behaviours that I’m working to unlearn (or relearn) and find myself wondering ‘what would Paul do?’

It’s these moments of self-reflection that have made me better understand about the kind of person I strive to be, and the kind of person I’m looking for.

🦝